Santa Claus, reindeer pay visit to Eau Claire
EAU CLAIRE — Santa Claus and a reindeer paid a visit to J.M. Beatty Furniture & Mattress Store Saturday.
Parents took their children to the store’s annual Christmas event, where a reindeer was in a pen outside and Santa Claus sat inside waiting to take pictures with children and hear what they want for Christmas.
“It’s good for the community,” said Chad Beatty, the store’s owner. “The kids get to come out, get pictures with Santa Claus, feed the reindeer, it’s a good deal.”
Anyone who made a purchase at the store also got a free custom-made Christmas wreath. The pictures with Santa also were free.
Dee Kaiser of Butler brought along her daughters and grandchildren to acclimate them to the holidays.
“We like to go to little events like this and take the kids to get them used to Santa,” she said. “They feed the reindeer. It helps them to start learning the season.”
Ben Gorog of Butler was there with his two daughters, Hayleigh, 10, and Ellie, 6. Ellie planned to ask Santa for an Our Generation Ice Cream Truck.
Vicki Hefferan of Butler brought her grandchildren, Calder Hefferan, 2, and 3-month-old Oak Summers for their first trip to see Santa.
Vicki Hefferan said Calder was enthralled by the reindeer.
“He saw it outside,” she said. “He thought it was pretty neat.”
Even though it was raining, people still stopped to feed the reindeer, 10-year-old Holly from Living Treasures Animal Park in New Castle. Holly was fed carrots under the supervision of Jeremy Baker of Living Treasures.
“They’re definitely family friendly,” Baker said.
Baker said reindeer can live up to 40 years. He also said their big feet help them walk in the snow, so they don’t sink through, and their thick coats keep them warm in cold-weather habitats.
The reindeer at Living Treasures are fed a diet that includes vitamins and hay.
He also had an assurance for the children.
“She’s taking all their messages down to report back to Santa,” he said with a smile.
